How To Create Symbolic Link Windows [updated] [2026 Update]

Paths with spaces must be enclosed in double quotes.

New-Item -Path "link_path" -ItemType SymbolicLink -Target "target_path" how to create symbolic link windows

| Feature | Symbolic Link (Soft Link) | Hard Link | Junction | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Can cross file systems (different drives). | Must be on the same volume. | Can cross volumes but only directories. | | Target Type | File or Directory. | Files only. | Directories only. | | Survival | If the target is deleted, the link becomes broken (dead link). | If the target is deleted, the data remains accessible via the link. | Similar to Symbolic Links. | | Usage | Redirecting paths to different drives. | Backups or mirroring data on the same drive. | Mapping folders on older systems. | Paths with spaces must be enclosed in double quotes